'archbishopess' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'archbishop' plus the feminine suffix '-ess', where 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhi-') meant 'chief' and 'bishop' (from Old English 'biscop', via Latin/Greek) meant 'overseer'.

'archbishop' came via Old English 'arcebiscop' from Latin 'archiepiscopus' and Greek 'arkhi-episkopos'; the feminine suffix '-ess' comes from Old French/Latin feminine endings (such as Old French '-esse' from Late Latin '-issa'), and the Modern English formation produced 'archbishopess' as a rare/occasional feminine form.

Initially formed simply as a feminine counterpart (either a woman holding the office or the wife of an archbishop); over time the term remained rare and is largely archaic or informal, with modern usage preferring the gender-neutral 'archbishop' or different phrasings.